On December 16, 2025, Lebanese judicial authorities announced that former Economy Minister Amin Salam was released on bail of $100,000 (approximately 9 billion Lebanese pounds), and his lawyers are proceeding with the bail payment process. The former minister, who served for more than three years, had been detained since June of this year on suspicion of financial crimes including forgery, embezzlement, and extortion of private insurance companies.
Prosecutors accused Salam of signing inflated contracts with foreign companies and misappropriating provident funds from insurance companies under his department’s supervision for personal expenses. However, he consistently denied the allegations, claiming the funds were actually used to pay salaries to departmental employees during the economic crisis. Previously, a Beirut investigating judge had rejected his bail application; this time, after Salam appealed, the indictment chamber, presided over by Judge Kamal Nassar, granted him bail.
As a cabinet member during a critical period of Lebanon’s economic reforms, Salam’s involvement in the case has attracted widespread attention. He is currently banned from leaving the country for six months, and the case will proceed, with subsequent hearings to be held at the Beirut Criminal Court. This bail decision comes as Lebanon is advancing financial regulatory reforms; the country amended its banking secrecy law in April to combat corruption. The progress of this case may affect public confidence in the judiciary’s efforts to fight corruption.
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